Memorandum
City of Lawrence
Department of Public Works
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TO: |
David L. Corliss, City Manager |
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FROM: |
Shoeb Uddin, City Engineer |
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CC: |
Chuck Soules, David Woosley, Mark Thiel |
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DATE: |
June 08, 2011 |
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RE: |
June 14, 2011 City Commission Agenda Item Application for FY 2014 Geometric Improvement Funding (KDOT) Application
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Background
With the recent passage of the T-WORKS (the 10 year transportation program) by the Kansas State Legislature, the Geometric Improvement (GI) program is now being reinstated by the Kansas Department of Transportation after being suspended for two years due to lack of funding. This program allocates $6.0 million dollars annually statewide to address geometric deficiencies such as turn lanes on the City connecting links of the State Highway System (6th Street/US 40, Iowa/US 59, North 2nd/ US 40/US 59, and 23rd Street/K-10 in Lawrence). The primary objective of this program is to improve traffic flow and safety along the city connecting links of the State Highway system.
The program is competitive and award decisions will be made based on factors such as traffic impacts, system preservation impacts, safety and local match/contribution. This is an 80/20 cost sharing program – 80% maximum state funding and 20% minimum city match. For cities with population between 50,000 and 99,999 (Lawrence population: 90,000), the state participation would be capped at $900,000.00. Cost of Engineering Design, Construction Plans and Construction engineering / inspection, right of way and utilities are considered eligible project costs.
Project Details
Staff has preliminarily evaluated 7 potential projects at the following locations – 6th and Michigan, 6th and Iowa, 15th and Iowa, 19th and Iowa, 23rd and Iowa, 23rd and Louisiana, and 23rd and Haskell.
Of the 7 potential projects, (based on our preliminary analysis) we have selected the following 2 projects for Commission’s consideration as potential candidates for application for the FY 2014 Geometric Improvement funding program.
6th and Iowa
This is a busy transportation node in Lawrence with about 30,000 vehicles per day. The proposed improvements would include a dedicated left turn lane for west bound traffic. This is a T intersection with 2 through lanes each in the east-west direction. West bound left turning (to go south onto Iowa) volume is high and causes a long queue during morning and afternoon peak hours. Adding a dedicated left turn lane will reduce the queue length and in turn will improve the traffic flow at this busy intersection. The turn lane will also improve safety of this area, as drivers weave in and out as they approach this intersection. There are multiple utilities including a traffic signal pole that would require relocation. Sidewalk on the north side will have to be widened as well. The existing guard rails on both north and south side of 6th street will likely be replaced with concrete safety barriers. [See Attached Exhibit]
23rd and Iowa
This is the busiest intersection in Lawrence with about 60,000 vehicles per day. The proposed geometric improvements would include dual left turn lanes for east and west bound and reconfiguration of the free flow right turn lanes for west and north bound. In addition to reducing the queue lengths of the left turning traffic, the proposed dual left turn lanes will also improve through and right turning movements, especially during the morning and afternoon peak hours. The reconfiguration of the right turn lane would reduce the number of accidents involving merging and weaving movements at the north and east legs of the intersection. The reconfiguration plan will also improve pedestrian safety and movements at this location. [See attached Exhibit]
According to KDOT, this project should also include closing the existing median cut/opening on the east leg of the intersection in addition to closing one of the two driveways serving the property (Hastings and others) on the northeast quadrant of the intersection. These issues are likely to be unpopular with the property owners and business entities in the area.
Project Cost / Funding
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6th and Iowa |
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Estimated Total Project Cost (Engineering Design, Construction, and Construction Management / Inspection) |
$700,000.00 |
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State GI Funds (staff is recommending 50% match to increase our chances of selection on this project) |
$350,000.00 |
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City Funds (50%) ( minimum 20%, no cap on local participation) |
$350,000.00 |
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23rd and Iowa |
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Estimated Total Project Cost (Engineering Design, Construction and Construction Management / Inspection) |
$1.5 million |
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State GI Funds (80% or $900,000.00, whichever is greater) |
$900,000.00 |
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City Funds (20% minimum, no cap on local participation) |
$600,000.00 |
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These estimates are very preliminary ballpark figures. Actual total project cost will vary depending on factors and conditions unknown at this stage of the project development. [Acquisition of additional R/W or easements are not anticipated]
Discussion with KDOT
Staff has presented both of these projects to the engineers at KDOT. Based on the feedback we have received from our KDOT colleagues, it appears that both projects would likely be considered eligible and worthy for the Geometric Improvement (GI) funding. However, the project at 6th and Iowa may fare slightly better in the competition.
The proposed left turn lane at 6th and Iowa would address a very important and long lasting need at this busy intersection. This turn lane can be accommodated by widening the roadway by only 5 feet on the south side and by reducing the width of the existing lanes to 11 feet. This is considered a very practical and cost-effective geometric improvement with high benefit-cost ratio. Based on our preliminary traffic analysis, the left turn lane at 6th and Iowa would reduce the average intersection delay from 89 seconds to 27 seconds – this reduction in intersection delay is expected to improve driver’s satisfaction, reduce accidents and improve traffic flow in a significant way.
Based on our preliminary traffic analysis, the proposed geometric improvements at 23rd and Iowa will reduce the average delay associated with the left turning movements. In addition, the average delay for the intersection as a whole will also go down to some extent. Furthermore, these improvements will reduce accidents and facilitate pedestrian movements across the entire intersection. Considering the high traffic volume, accident rates and pedestrian safety, the proposed geometric improvements (consisting of dual left turn lanes and reconfiguration of the free flow right turn lanes) are highly recommended. In addition to improving traffic flow and safety, the proposed improvements will enhance the aesthetic experience at the busiest transportation corridor in Lawrence.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends applying for both projects as there is no restriction on the number of projects a local entity can apply for. By applying for both projects, we will improve our chances to receive funds from the geometric improvement program. In the event, KDOT would fund only one project in Lawrence, the city commission will have the opportunity to make the final selection.
If the Commission’s direction is to apply for one project only, (based on feedback from KDOT engineers, and for reasons outlined in the previous section) Staff would recommend the project at 6th and Iowa.
Project Schedule
If awarded, the proposed project(s) can be accomplished according to the following schedule (tentative at this time).
Funding Award Announcement by KDOT – December, 2011
Engineering Design and Construction Plans – 2012 and 2013
Construction – summer of 2013
Action Requested